A Dane County judge on Thursday declined a request by a billboard advertising firm to delay the removal of three North Side billboards while it appeals a decision in which the judge threw out its open meetings lawsuit against Dane County.

Circuit Judge Frank Remington said he didn’t believe that Adams Outdoor Advertising was likely to succeed in its appeal of Remington’s decision, made last month.

In that ruling, Remingtonfound insufficient evidence that Dane County Board members had improperly decided against renewing a lease of county land along Aberg Avenue where the billboards have stood since 1966.

In August, Adams sued the Dane County Board over the 18-16 decision in April not to renew the lease.

Adams alleged that Sup. Paul Rusk violated the state open meetings law and its prohibition against “walking quorums” by improperly lining up votes against the lease renewal.

Adams wanted Remington to order that the board take another vote on the lease.

On Thursday, soon after Remington’s decision not to grant a stay that would keep the billboards up, Adams filed an appeal with the state 4th District Court of Appeals, seeking an immediate review.

Under its contract with Dane County, which expires Saturday, Adams would have 10 days to remove the billboards.

Adams’ lawyer, Brian Potts, argued that once the billboards are removed, it would be impossible to restore them should the appeals court rule in Adams’ favor.

But Remington called Adams’ chances of succeeding in its appeal “slim at best.”

Subscribe to Breaking News

* I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.

More information

Adams Outdoor Advertising sued the Dane County Board over its 18-16 decision in April not to renew a lease of land along Aberg Avenue, on Dane County Regional Airport property, where three billboards have stood since 1966. Adams has owned them since 1987.